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Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
TOWARDS DIGITIZATION: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE LIBRARIES OF BANGLADESH
SHARIFUL ISLAM
Keywords
Digital library, Digitization barriers, Digitization process, Library Digitization, University libraries of
Bangladesh.
1. Introduction
Digitization has become a practical necessity and reality with technology interventions to provide improved
access to information sources, preservation and dissemination as required, at anytime; anywhere and any place
as it were. Besides, digitization narrows down the “Digital Divide” between the have and have-not within the
country, between individuals, developing and developed countries, those who can speak English and those who
cannot, digital elite in urban and rural in terms of digital development itself (Murthy, 2005). Librarians and
archivists find themselves facing the prospect of digitization. Everyone is doing it, everyone needs it.
Discussions range nationally and internationally concerning what to digitize and the best means to present and
retain digital objects. Yet newcomers may seek answers to simpler questions; what is digitization? What does
digitization equipment do? What does digitization standards mean? (Wentzel, 2006). Being a third world
country like Bangladesh is still trying to find answers of these simple questions, because library digitization is
not still a familiar and well known topic in many libraries for Bangladesh.
2. Objectives
The prime objective of the study is to explore the digitization and digital librarianship initiatives by the
librarians and information professional in the private and public university libraries of Bangladesh. More
specifically, the objectives of the study are:
• To have a look for the current digitization status among the libraries of Bangladesh special concern to
the university libraries.
• To examine different constraints of digitization in Bangladesh
• To examine the infrastructural facilities required for digital information system (Scanner, computer,
software, OCR, output media, access points, network support).
3. Methodology
For the particular study more than one methodological approach has been used. Beside the literature survey,
close observation and in-depth interviews with structured questionnaire have been conducted on 20 public and
private university libraries. Librarians and information professionals of the sample libraries were the population
of the study. Postal, electronic and field visit was the medium used for data collection. There were another semi
Abstract
Digitization is no more a new concepts in the library and information science field. But as a third
world country like Bangladesh it is still a challenging issue. This paper mainly focused on the
recent updates of the library digitization activities and more particularly identified the digitization
problems identically. The findings of this paper is almost shocking, very few libraries of
Bangladesh has been taken digitization program successfully where most of the libraries are still
far behind from any sort of digitization effort to their library and even more they do not have the
required infrastructural facilities to take any kind of digitization project. It is assumed that the
initiatives for bibliographic database, full-text database, hosting indigenous information product
over the internet, technology based information communication activities are at the elementary
level at the maximum number of the university libraries of Bangladesh. This paper ends up some
concluding remarks for the libraries of Bangladesh and more importantly the findings of this paper
will definitely help the libraries of Bangladesh to identify their problems regarding digitization and
hope fully able to find out the right solution.
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
structured questionnaire was designed for some particular libraries who has been taken digitization project in
their libraries. These libraries were BANBEIS, Directorate of archives & Libraries, Ministry of Cultural affairs
Bangladesh, ICDDRB, Bangladesh Institute of Development studies, Ayesha Abed Library. An interview with
the highest level professionals was also conducted during fill up the questionnaire. The study concludes some
major university libraries of Bangladesh including both public and private university library. For the purpose of
reveal exact scenario, not only the well recognized university library has been included, but also some little
known; with fewer collection and services, libraries from remote areas, are also has been selected and brought
under the study. The sample libraries are: Dhaka University library (DUL), Bangladesh University of
Engineering & Technology Library (BUETL), National University Library (NUL), Bangladesh Open University
Library (BOUL), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Library (BSMRAUL),
Jagannath University Library (JNTUL), Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Library (SUSTL),
Sylhet Agricultural University Library (SAUL), Jahangirnagar University Library (JUL), Noakhali Science &
Technology University Library (NSTUL), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Library (BSMMUL),
Islamic University of Technology Library (IUTL), South-East University Library (SEUL), Daffodil
International University Library (DIUL), Northern University Bangladesh Library (NUBL), North-South
University Library (NSUL), Independent University, Bangladesh Library( IUBL), Ayesha Abed Library of
BRAC University (BRACUL), American International University-Bangladesh Library (AIUBL) and East-West
University Library (ESUL).
4. Literature Review
There were not much literature support was found regarding library digitization in Bangladesh but lots of work
has been done around the world. Loptain (2006) provides a selective bibliography of literature which explores
issues and provides guidelines on library digitization projects. The literature survey presents an overview of
digitization activities and discussions of issues concerning library digital projects. Liu (2004) focused on the
library digitization practice in the USA. This survey of current literature reveals a number of prominent library
digitization practices, methods and challenges, and highlights the best practices, trends and interests in library
digitization pertaining to both policy and technology marketplace issues. Yao and Zhao (2009) carried a
comprehensive survey where they included ten key university library of China. The aim of this paper was to
provide an overview of Chinese digital library projects via the corresponding web sites. The paper also seeks to
illustrate the current situation of DLs in China by offering insights into the digitization of resources,
technologies and services. Iwhiwhu and Eyekpegha (2009) examined the present digitization projects in
Nigerian university libraries and the challenges they pose to effective information delivery. The results from the
paper reveal that, the libraries lack written policy on digitization, inadequate ICT infrastructures and manpower,
fund, and inadequate government support. Users are not given user education/digital literacy to enable them
adequately utilizing the available digitized resources and services, thus posing challenges to effective
information delivery. Murthy (2005) gives some guide lines on procedures and process of digitization on the
basis of a practical experience at the National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore. He also discussed on various
topics related to library digitization.Wentzel (2006) includes detailed discussion on scanning process for library
digitization project, where he includes, flatbed scanners, digital cameras, other digitization equipment,
understanding resolution, bit depth, color space, file formats etc. Jeevan (2004) gives attention to digital library
development in India where he gives special preference to identifying sources of content for developing
countries, especially in India. He discussed various issues, such as; need & purpose of digital library, arguments
for digitizing, what & how to digitized library materials, content indexing & metadata, formats, storage,
retrieval, dissemination & many other crucial issues.
5. Concept of Digitization
Digitization is primarily the process of converting written and printed records into electronic form. The content
may be text, image, audio or a combination of these (multimedia). The output of digitization process is an
electronic document that can also be hosted on Internet/Intranet. The electronic document may be in Portable
Document Format (PDF) or Tagged Image File Format (TIFF). PDF format is usually used to store information
on the Web, as the file size is relatively small and easily downloadable and transferable. PDF is also has a
unique print/display format that is the same on any platform and can be read using Acrobat Reader
(downloadable freely from the internet). TIF Format is mainly used for storing records of archival value
(Murthy, 2005).
Digitization process is extremely complex, difficult in manner, time consuming and needed highly qualified and
experienced professional to do the job efficiently. There are basically three major phases of a digitization
project. The main activities involved in the first phases relate to the preparation for digitization, and the actual
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
process of digitizing materials. Once the source materials has been digitized the second phase begins, which is
concerned with the processing required to
number of editorial and processing activities such as cataloguing, indexing and compression. End
the digitized materials only when the digitized materials are properly pr
which come in the third phase; they relate to the preservation and maintenance of the digitized collection and
services (Chowdhury and Chowdhury, 2003).
The process of digitization also involves huge cost. In addition to paying for equipment and the digitization
process, there are many other type of costs, for example staff salaries, and those associated with various related
activities before and after digitization, such as movement of physical items, copyright clearance, creation of
records and indexes, and so on (Chowdhury and Chowdhury, 2003).
6. Digitization Status in Bangladesh
There are very few initiatives has been taken to digitized library materia
the other hand Digital Library initiatives is still in the birth place. But still there are some initiatives have been
found, though these are not any complete attempt in terms of real digitization or digital librar
BANBEIS took Library and Documentation centre automation and digitization project in December 2008 and
first phase of the project has been completed in December 2009. The project digitized a fair amount of
document; includes a total number of 396 titles, 42,000 pages which were in 68 different subjects. Bangladesh
national library also took a project in 1995 and that was completed in 1997. A total number of 54,000 books
were digitized during the project. The project mainly digitized rare col
“Tangail dhonbari”, personal collections of “Vaoal Raja”, and Peronal collections of “Dr. Muhammad
Sahidullah”. Secretariat library collections were also digitized during the project from 1972
library also has a ongoing digitization project which was started in 2004. ICDDRB mainly digitized their
various own publications. They produced different types of publications, such as: journal article, annual report,
news letter, research monograph, research briefs
working papers etc. A total number of 2605 title is digitized so far. It is
library rather than a digitization project. So far 1,60,000 page has been digitized. Bangladesh Institute of
Development Studies also has a ongoing digitization programme. They mainly digitized their own publication.
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
process of digitizing materials. Once the source materials has been digitized the second phase begins, which is
concerned with the processing required to make the digitized materials easily accessible to users. This evolves a
number of editorial and processing activities such as cataloguing, indexing and compression. End
the digitized materials only when the digitized materials are properly processed. There are other issues too,
which come in the third phase; they relate to the preservation and maintenance of the digitized collection and
services (Chowdhury and Chowdhury, 2003).
The process of digitization also involves huge cost. In addition to paying for equipment and the digitization
process, there are many other type of costs, for example staff salaries, and those associated with various related
itization, such as movement of physical items, copyright clearance, creation of
records and indexes, and so on (Chowdhury and Chowdhury, 2003).
6. Digitization Status in Bangladesh
There are very few initiatives has been taken to digitized library materials among the libraries of Bangladesh, on
the other hand Digital Library initiatives is still in the birth place. But still there are some initiatives have been
found, though these are not any complete attempt in terms of real digitization or digital librar
BANBEIS took Library and Documentation centre automation and digitization project in December 2008 and
first phase of the project has been completed in December 2009. The project digitized a fair amount of
of 396 titles, 42,000 pages which were in 68 different subjects. Bangladesh
national library also took a project in 1995 and that was completed in 1997. A total number of 54,000 books
were digitized during the project. The project mainly digitized rare collection includes; Personal collections of
“Tangail dhonbari”, personal collections of “Vaoal Raja”, and Peronal collections of “Dr. Muhammad
Sahidullah”. Secretariat library collections were also digitized during the project from 1972-
also has a ongoing digitization project which was started in 2004. ICDDRB mainly digitized their
various own publications. They produced different types of publications, such as: journal article, annual report,
research briefs, scientific reports, special bibliography, special publications
etc. A total number of 2605 title is digitized so far. It is now a normal activity of ICDDRB
library rather than a digitization project. So far 1,60,000 page has been digitized. Bangladesh Institute of
Development Studies also has a ongoing digitization programme. They mainly digitized their own publication.
FIGURE 1: DIGITIZATION PROCESS
Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
process of digitizing materials. Once the source materials has been digitized the second phase begins, which is
make the digitized materials easily accessible to users. This evolves a
number of editorial and processing activities such as cataloguing, indexing and compression. End-users can use
ocessed. There are other issues too,
which come in the third phase; they relate to the preservation and maintenance of the digitized collection and
The process of digitization also involves huge cost. In addition to paying for equipment and the digitization
process, there are many other type of costs, for example staff salaries, and those associated with various related
itization, such as movement of physical items, copyright clearance, creation of
ls among the libraries of Bangladesh, on
the other hand Digital Library initiatives is still in the birth place. But still there are some initiatives have been
found, though these are not any complete attempt in terms of real digitization or digital library initiatives.
BANBEIS took Library and Documentation centre automation and digitization project in December 2008 and
first phase of the project has been completed in December 2009. The project digitized a fair amount of
of 396 titles, 42,000 pages which were in 68 different subjects. Bangladesh
national library also took a project in 1995 and that was completed in 1997. A total number of 54,000 books
lection includes; Personal collections of
“Tangail dhonbari”, personal collections of “Vaoal Raja”, and Peronal collections of “Dr. Muhammad
-1982. ICDDRB
also has a ongoing digitization project which was started in 2004. ICDDRB mainly digitized their
various own publications. They produced different types of publications, such as: journal article, annual report,
special publications,
now a normal activity of ICDDRB
library rather than a digitization project. So far 1,60,000 page has been digitized. Bangladesh Institute of
Development Studies also has a ongoing digitization programme. They mainly digitized their own publication.
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
BRAC University libraries successfully formed a Institutional repository, the main purpose of this project is to
make the library capable for promoting e-library services with the e-resources of the library and ensure access to
these e-resources for the teachers, students and researchers of BRAC University and other institutes. Besides
this Dhaka University library and East-West university library recently taken digitization project in some extent.
The major digitization attempts are shown in the following tables:
Table 1: digitization attempts at a glance
Name of the
library/organization
Time Line Types of document digitized Project accomplished
by
BANBEIS
(Library & Documentation
Center Automation &
Digitalization)
December
2008-Decamber
2009
The project digitized different
types of documents, such as;
research reports, educational
statistics, National education
survey, and education
commission reports up to 1905-
2009.
New Progati
Prokashani Library
Management System;
with the technical
help from DEVNET.
Directorate of archives &
Libraries, Ministry of Cultural
affairs Bangladesh (National
Library renovation, accessories
and equipment purchasing
project)
1995-1997 The project mainly digitized rare
collection includes; Personal
collections of “Tangail
dhonbari”, personal collections
of “Vaoal Raja”, and Peronal
collections of “Dr. Muhammad
Sahidullah”. Secretariat library
collections were also digitized
during the project from 1972-
1982.
Directorate of
archives & Libraries.
ICDDRB
IR (Institutional Repository)
It is an ongoing
project which
started in 2004.
ICDDRB mainly digitized their
various own publications. They
produced different types of
publications, such as: journal
article, annual report, news letter,
research monograph, research
briefs, scientific reports, special
bibliography, special
publications, working papers etc.
Library team of
ICDDRB, taking help
from IT department
of the same
institution with the
additional help from
DEVNET for
scanning purpose
Bangladesh Institiute of
Development studies
(BIDS Publication Digitization
Programme)
2010 to
continue.
All BIDS publications. BIDS.
Ayesha Abed Library
(BRAC University Institutional
Repository)
Ongoing
project.
Annual report, Research report,
Internship report, BRAC
University journal, Thesis.
Library division,
BRAC University.
(Source: Field visit and interview with a semi structured questionnaire).
7. Digitization Trends in Bangladesh It is observed that all the libraries in Bangladesh who entered to the digitization world followed all most the
same procedure to digitize their library materials. All the inside story of digitized library materials are also same
and very much straight forward. At first they select the materials for digitization and trace them, then an external
organization has done the scanning (in most of the cases except some rare exceptions),for some materials OCR
also applied, after that they hand over the digitized materials in CD-ROM and also in PDF files, library unit then
take a several copy and also store them in the server, when post-processing is over (cataloguing, classification,
indexing), then they linked the materials and upload in the web using open source software in most of the cases.
During the investigation some problem were identified by the corresponding librarians/library in charge during
the digitization project these are: lack of fund, lack of concept about digitization, lack of expert personnel, lack
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
of coordination etc. Besides these, some other problem was involved, such as; fear of technology and new
concept among the organization’s employee, backward and unhelpful attitudes etc.
8. Major Barriers for Digitization
8.1 Lack of understanding
Most of the libraries of Bangladesh are still in the darkness about the digitization concept. They do not have any
clear idea about library digitization. Berceuses most of the libraries of Bangladesh are still not digitized, few
libraries only taken library automation attempts and most of the libraries are proceed in manual system at every
means. In this situation, it is not possible to understand the whole digitization process and its benefits.
8.2 Financial Constraint
Financial constraint is one of the major
few libraries have separate budget for library digitization, so it is very hard for the libraries to undertake any sort
of digitization project for lack of money.
Table-2: Financial budget for the libraries (2008
N=20
Frequency Number of libraries
Less than 5 lacks
5lacks to 15 lacks
15 lacks to 25 lacks
25 lacks to 35 lacks
35 lacks to 45 lacks
45 lacks to 55 lacks
More than 55 lacks
From the table-2 it is clearly shown that most percentages (35%) library budget is more than 55 lacks and less
percentage (5%) library budget is less than 5 lacks among surveyed university libraries of Bangladesh but the
problem is very few libraries ( only 4 libraries) has separate budget (only 20%) for digitization.
8.3 Lack of Skilled Manpower
Skilled manpower is must for the library digitization activities, with out that it will be the untouched dream all
the time for the libraries of Bangladesh.
with adequate technical and ICT knowledge, where as, the picture is totally different in Bangladesh. Most of the
libraries do not have that kind of personnel; few libraries have that
Figure 2: Percentage of professionals
51.27%
7.14%
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
of coordination etc. Besides these, some other problem was involved, such as; fear of technology and new
concept among the organization’s employee, backward and unhelpful attitudes etc.
igitization
of the libraries of Bangladesh are still in the darkness about the digitization concept. They do not have any
clear idea about library digitization. Berceuses most of the libraries of Bangladesh are still not digitized, few
omation attempts and most of the libraries are proceed in manual system at every
means. In this situation, it is not possible to understand the whole digitization process and its benefits.
Financial constraint is one of the major barriers for library digitization in Bangladesh. Here in Bangladesh, very
few libraries have separate budget for library digitization, so it is very hard for the libraries to undertake any sort
of digitization project for lack of money.
2: Financial budget for the libraries (2008-2009)
Number of libraries Percentages Separate budget for digitization
( Number of libraries)
1 5%
6 30%
1 5%
2 10%
1 5%
2 10%
7 35%
2 it is clearly shown that most percentages (35%) library budget is more than 55 lacks and less
percentage (5%) library budget is less than 5 lacks among surveyed university libraries of Bangladesh but the
y 4 libraries) has separate budget (only 20%) for digitization.
Skilled manpower is must for the library digitization activities, with out that it will be the untouched dream all
the time for the libraries of Bangladesh. For the digitization process libraries need smart, intelligent personnel
with adequate technical and ICT knowledge, where as, the picture is totally different in Bangladesh. Most of the
libraries do not have that kind of personnel; few libraries have that kind of personnel but very small in numbers.
Figure 2: Percentage of professionals
27.62%
13.96%
7.14%
Professionals
Semi professionals
Non professionals
Others
Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
of coordination etc. Besides these, some other problem was involved, such as; fear of technology and new
of the libraries of Bangladesh are still in the darkness about the digitization concept. They do not have any
clear idea about library digitization. Berceuses most of the libraries of Bangladesh are still not digitized, few
omation attempts and most of the libraries are proceed in manual system at every
means. In this situation, it is not possible to understand the whole digitization process and its benefits.
barriers for library digitization in Bangladesh. Here in Bangladesh, very
few libraries have separate budget for library digitization, so it is very hard for the libraries to undertake any sort
Separate budget for digitization
( Number of libraries)
---
2
1
---
---
---
1
2 it is clearly shown that most percentages (35%) library budget is more than 55 lacks and less
percentage (5%) library budget is less than 5 lacks among surveyed university libraries of Bangladesh but the
y 4 libraries) has separate budget (only 20%) for digitization.
Skilled manpower is must for the library digitization activities, with out that it will be the untouched dream all
For the digitization process libraries need smart, intelligent personnel
with adequate technical and ICT knowledge, where as, the picture is totally different in Bangladesh. Most of the
kind of personnel but very small in numbers.
Semi professionals
Non professionals
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
(Source: Survey Data: 2010).
Figure –2 indicates that among the sample public and private university libraries, 27.62% have professionals,
13.96% of semi professionals, 51.27 % non professionals and 7.14 % have other categories of staffs. This
statistics clearly prove that most percentage of the library staff is non professionals and other categories
(58.41%) which are not acceptable at all.
8.4 Inadequate Infrastructural Facilities
As a whole the available infrastructural facilities of the libraries of Bangladesh are not in the satisfactory level.
This kind of infrastructural facilities slows down the rate of digitization. The following table will justify the
statements:
Table-3: Available infrastructural facilities of the sample libraries
N=20
Frequency
Hardware equipments
Computer Computer
with
internet
connection
scanners Digital
camera
modem UPS/gener
ator
Printer Barcode
generator
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO
. of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
NO.
of
lib.
%
0-10 9 45% 12 60
%
19 95
%
19 95
%
18 90
%
14 70
%
19 95 20 100
11-20 5 25% 2 10
%
1 5% 0 0% 1 5% 3 15
%
1 5
%
0 0%
21-30 1 5% 2 10
%
0 0% 1 5% 1 5% 1 5% 0 0
%
0 0%
31-40 1 5% 1 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0
%
0 0%
41-50 1 5% 1 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 5% 0 0
%
0 0%
51-60 1 5% 1 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0
%
0 0%
61-70 1 5% 1 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0 0%
71-80 1 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 5% 0 0
%
0 0%
81-90 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0
%
0 0%
91-100 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0
%
0 0%
Table –3 shows that most of the university libraries (45%) have total number of 0-10 computers and 60% library
(most percentage) has computer with internet connections in those computers. Most of the libraries has 0-10
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
scanners (95% library), digital camer
printer (95% library) and barcode generator (100% library). This statistics clarify the poor infrastructural
facilities and hardware equipments among the university libraries of Bangladesh.
8.5 Lack of Standard and UniformityLibraries of Bangladesh do not maintain any sort of standard and here is no competition among the libraries to
better serve the user. They still believe and practice traditional library activities and services and
isolated from the modern library activities around the world.
Figure-3: Methods and standard used for processing library materials
Figure-3 indicates that 85% university library use Dewey decimal classification sch
Congress Classification scheme, 40% library use Browne, 20% use Newark and 40% library use other charging
system. 75% library use AACR-2, 5% use MARC
information clearly identify that there is no uniformity among the libraries of Bangladesh and also there is no
uniformity in processing library materials either, here 35% sample library use technological method, 35% used
manual method and 30% used both technological and manual method
8.6 Problems with ICT & Automation
As a developing country Bangladesh has technical limitations which are also pushing the libraries from behind
to not take digitization attempts. Internet came late in Bangladesh, wi
connectivity in 1996, SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable connectivity 21 May 2006.
World Stats as of September, 2009 there are currently 556,000 internet users in Bangladesh and the internet
penetration is 0.4%. (source: Shuva, 2010). Here are also problems with ICT and automation, the following
figures will reveal them:
Figure- 4: Availability of ICT facilities
Ununiformity of
library practice
Methods of
processing
35% used
Manual
35% used
Technological
30% used
both
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
scanners (95% library), digital camera (95% library), modem (90% library), UPS/generator (70% library),
printer (95% library) and barcode generator (100% library). This statistics clarify the poor infrastructural
facilities and hardware equipments among the university libraries of Bangladesh.
niformity Libraries of Bangladesh do not maintain any sort of standard and here is no competition among the libraries to
better serve the user. They still believe and practice traditional library activities and services and
isolated from the modern library activities around the world.
3: Methods and standard used for processing library materials
(Source: Survey data, 2010).
3 indicates that 85% university library use Dewey decimal classification scheme, 15% used Library of
Congress Classification scheme, 40% library use Browne, 20% use Newark and 40% library use other charging
2, 5% use MARC-21 and 20% library use other cataloguing code. This
that there is no uniformity among the libraries of Bangladesh and also there is no
uniformity in processing library materials either, here 35% sample library use technological method, 35% used
manual method and 30% used both technological and manual method for processing of library materials.
8.6 Problems with ICT & Automation
As a developing country Bangladesh has technical limitations which are also pushing the libraries from behind
to not take digitization attempts. Internet came late in Bangladesh, with UUCP e-mail beginning in 1993 and IP
4 submarine cable connectivity 21 May 2006. According to the Internet
World Stats as of September, 2009 there are currently 556,000 internet users in Bangladesh and the internet
ation is 0.4%. (source: Shuva, 2010). Here are also problems with ICT and automation, the following
4: Availability of ICT facilities Figure-5: Status of library automation
Catalogue code
75% used
AACR-2
5% used
MARC-21
20% used
both
Charging
system
40% used
Browne
20% used
Newark
40% used
other
Classification
scheme
85% used DDC
15% used LC
0% used UDC
& other
Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
a (95% library), modem (90% library), UPS/generator (70% library),
printer (95% library) and barcode generator (100% library). This statistics clarify the poor infrastructural
Libraries of Bangladesh do not maintain any sort of standard and here is no competition among the libraries to
better serve the user. They still believe and practice traditional library activities and services and completely
eme, 15% used Library of
Congress Classification scheme, 40% library use Browne, 20% use Newark and 40% library use other charging
21 and 20% library use other cataloguing code. This
that there is no uniformity among the libraries of Bangladesh and also there is no
uniformity in processing library materials either, here 35% sample library use technological method, 35% used
for processing of library materials.
As a developing country Bangladesh has technical limitations which are also pushing the libraries from behind
mail beginning in 1993 and IP
According to the Internet
World Stats as of September, 2009 there are currently 556,000 internet users in Bangladesh and the internet
ation is 0.4%. (source: Shuva, 2010). Here are also problems with ICT and automation, the following
85% used DDC
0% used UDC
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
(Source: Survey data, 2010).
Figure- 4 and 5 indicate that 100% of the sample public and private university libraries provide telephone
facilities. 50% libraries provide fax facilities, while 90% provide e-mail facilities. 85% of the public and private
university libraries provide internet facilities, 5% of the libraries provide telex and teleconference facilities for
the users as well as for library staffs. On the other hand it is shocking that only 25% of the sample public and
private university libraries are fully automated while 55% are partially automated. But 20 percent of the sample
public and private university libraries are not yet automated.
8.7 Backward Mentality & Priority to Traditional Library Services
Most of the library professionals are still bear backward mentality and some of them have fear about modern
technology so to library digitization. They are still comfortable with traditional library activities and services.
From the table-1 it is clearly visible that most f the university libraries of Bangladesh mostly provide the
traditional library services.
Table-4: Comparison of traditional and computerized library services
Traditional services
Computerized & ICT based services
Name of the services % provide Name of the services % provide
Readers services 100% Internet 90%
Reference services 100% OPAC 60%
Abstracting and indexing 60% Library websites 55%
Bibliographic services 75% On line full text data base service 45%
Inter-library loan 55% CD-ROM searches 50%
Reprographic services 75% Intranet ( data sharing, file transfer) 55%
Printing facilities 60% Access to commercial e-resources 35%
Help desk 85% Electronic document delivery 45%
CAS 75% Other 20%
SDI 55%
(Source: Survey data, 2010).
Table-4 expressed that the entire 20 surveyed university library provide readers and reference services. While
60% of surveyed library provides abstracting and indexing services, 75% provides bibliographic services, 55%
interlibrary loan service, 75% reprographic services, 60% surveyed library has printing facilities, 85% has help
desk. 75% provide CAS and 55% provide SDI services. While on the other hand 90% of the sample public and
private university libraries provide internet facilities, 60% provide online public access catalogue and access to
commercial e-resources. 55% libraries have library websites and provide intranet facilities. 50% provide CD-
ROM search facilities. 45% provide electronic document delivery services, 35% provide access to commercial
e-resources and 20% of the surveyed libraries provide other computerized services ( Source: Survey data, 2010).
This statistics clearly shows that university libraries of Bangladesh are giving less attention to modern library
facilities than traditional library services.
8.8 Unhelpful Management
Most of the library do not get proper help and assistance regarding provide ICT based library facilities and
taking digitization project. Maximum top level personnel are not have library and information science
background, so they are unable to understand modern library activities like library digitization.
8.9 Unawareness of Modern Library Trend
Most of the libraries of Bangladesh do not have any sort of connection with the other libraries of the world, as a
result they are unaware about the library development and modern library trends across the world. More over
libraries of Bangladesh generally does not encourage its employees to go abroad and gain knowledge from the
world renowned libraries. As a whole library of Bangladesh is always remain far behind from the modern
library trends.
Paper presented at the “World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011)” on 16-
17 November, 2011, held at Malaysia, organized by International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Shariful Islam
8.10 Failed to Understand the Benefits of Digitization
As the libraries of Bangladesh do not have proper idea about digitization, so they are unable to realize the
benefits of library digitization and usually not interested to take any kind of initiative regarding library
digitization. While discussing some of the leading librarian of the country they mention the highest authority of
their concern organization are not interested in digitization project mostly of their unawareness of digitization
process, its benefits and never the less for its high cost.
8.11 Copyright issues Copy right is another important issue which prevent the libraries of Bangladesh from taking any sort of
digitization project.
9. Concluding Remarks
If the libraries of Bangladesh want to move forward for catch up the modern library trends and facilities,
satisfied the users and as a whole want to make its mark for the overall development of the country this is the
time to march ahead. First of all the libraries and its professionals must have to understand the benefits and
process of digitization. To increase the awareness, different library associations of Bangladesh, such as LAB,
BALID have to come forward and should organize seminars, workshops, etc. to create awareness among
librarians about current developments in technology. It is crystal clear that library must put some separate
budget for digitization in every year to its overall budget. Library professionals need some training to adopt the
latest technology. Library and information science teaching and training institutions should introduce different
types of training programs for unskilled library professionals. So that they can over come their fear about digital
technology and can enjoy the blessing of modern science. Practical digital librarianship course should be
integrated in the LIS curriculum at the university level, so that the upcoming library professionals of Bangladesh
gain some practical knowledge to handle and manage digital resources and can take digitization attempts. The
governments have to co-operate with the libraries and have to allocate them adequate fund so that they can
increase digital information resources. And finally National digital information resource task force should be
created immediately; they will be monitoring the improvement of the overall digitization process of the country.
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